Means for operating suction actuated devices of automotive vehicles



c. s. BRAGG ETAL 1,316,467 MEANS i'OR OPERATING SUCTIQN ACTUA'L ED DEVICES 'QF AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES July 28, 1931.

Original Filed- June 16, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS i--- L. N0 0 July 28, 1931. c. s. BRAGG ET AL MEANS FOR OPERATING $UCT'ION ACTUATED DEVICES OF AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Ofiginail Filed June 1e 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY July 28,1931. c. s. BRAGG ET AL 1,816,467 MEANS FOR OPERATING SUCTION ACTLTATED DEVICES OF AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES I 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June 16 1925 Patented July 28, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE CALEB s. BRAGG, or PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, AND vIcToR w. KLIESRATH, or roRT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, AssIeNoRs T RRACe-KLIEsRATH CoRcPoRATIoN, or LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YO K, A CORPORATION or NEW YoRK I ME.A1\TS FOR QPERA ING sUC IoN ACTUA'IED DEVICES or AUToMoTIvE- VEHICLES Original application filed June 16, 1925, Serial No. 37,407, new Patent No. 1,753,167, dated'April 1, 1930. Divided and this application filed September 18, 1926. Serial N0. 136,228. I

. Cur invention consists inthe novel features hereinafter described, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the same selected by us for purposes of illustration, and the said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

This application is a division of our former application for Letters Patent of the United States 'filed June 16, 1925, and given Serial No. 37,407- now Patent No.1,753,167 'Apr. 1, 1930. a

In the operation of vacuum. brakes or other suction actuated devices in connection with automotlve vehlcleswhere'the suction actuated device is connected with the intake mani fold of the engine, the air exhausted from the suction actuating mechanism and delivered into theintake manifold has a tendency to reduce the degree of rarificationtherein, and to prevent the drawing in of the proper quantity of liquid fuel from the carburetor, or

, to dilute the explosive mixture frequently to such an extent that it will not readily ignite. In either case the engine, if idling, is likely to stall, and the starting of the engine would also be materially delayed, and the operation under the control of its throttle Valve would be interferred with to a greater or less extent. I

In our former applicationfor Letters Patent of the United States filed February 26,

' 192-5, and-given Serial No. 11,683, we have set forth a method of an apparatus for operating these and other difiiculties by supplying motor fuel to the air exhaust from the suction actuated device before it reaches the intake manifold, so that it will enter the manifold as an explosive mixture which will combine with the explosive charges delivered into the manifold from the carburetor.

In our former application above referred to Serial No. 37,407, of which this application is a division, we have set forth means for collecting liquid hydro-carbon or motor I fuel from the mixture passing through the suction passage of the engine and holding it in a capillary retaining means permeable by the air withdrawn from a suction actuated device, (as the power actuator for operatin the brake mechanismof an automotive ve icle) on its way to the intake manifold toinsure the proper carburetion of the air before it reaches the manifold, and have therein claimed specifically certain means for accomplishing'this result. c.

Our present invention consists in other specific means for collecting liquid fuel from [the mixture passing through the suction passage of the engine from the carburetor, and ho ding it in capillaryretaining means located in the path of the air withdrawn from the suction actuated device, forthe purpose of carbureting the said air and delivering it into the intake manifold in the formof a combustible mixture,ifor the purpose of preventing any material interference with the operation of the engine under the control of its throttle valve, or the stalling of thev Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of certain parts illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the intake manifold and carburetor, the connection leading from the actuator, and the means for carbureting the air withdrawn fromthe actuator.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View of the carbureting device shown in Figs. land 3, the

adjacent portions of'the pipe or passage connecting the carburetor and manifold.

Fig. 5,is an enlarged view of a portion ofFig/L f Fig. 6 is aview' similar to Fig. 5 showing a slight modification. I p

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional View of a portion of Fig. 6.,

. Fig. 8 isa view s milar to Fig. 4 show- 'ing another slight modification.

Fig. 9 is a partial horizontal sectional view of the line 99 of Fig. 8.

In Fig. 1, we have shown our invention applied in connection with an automotive vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine, and having a vacuum or suction-operated actuator for operating the brake-mechanism of the vehicle. In this figure, 1, represents the cylinder of a power actuator of the kind illustrated, for example, in our former applications for Letters Patent of the United States above referred to. The cylinder is provided with a double acting piston, 3, having a hollow piston rod, 5, connected by a link, 73, to a brake lever, 7 2, for operating the form of brake mechanismdiagrammatizcally indicated'in Fig. '1, and comprising in this instance "a brake band, 71, and brake drum, 70, so that the movement ofithe piston 'applies'thebrakes, and inthe opposite direction, releases the brakes. The actuator is provided with suitable reversing valve mechanism, in this instance located in the hub ofthe piston, and indicated as a whole at 6, the valve mechanism being operated by lneans of a valve actuating sleeve, indicated at .20, connectedfby a suitable link with the "usual brake operating lever, 74, provided witha retracting spring, 75. Asthe specific form of valve mechanism has no bearing on our present invention, it will not be described in detail. 326 represents asuction pipe having aflexible portion, which is connected at one end with the valve actuating sleeve, 20, and communicates therewith, and at the other end is connected with'the suction passage of the engine between the throttle valve, 369, and the cylinders. 36G represcntsthe carburetor, communicating with the 'manifold by a vertical pipe, 366. The valve actuating sleeve, 20 communicates with a suc- 'tion chamber, 17, in'the interior of the pis- 'tonhub, which can be placed in'connnunication with the cylinder on either side of the piston by means of suitable ports controlled by-thereversing valve mechanism. The piston'hub is also provided with an inlet chanrber, 18, for .higher pressure fluid, as atmospheric air,whichchamberis in communicatien through the sleeve,20, and'hollow piston rod, with an inlet aperature, 5 formed'in the-latter. The'valve sleeve, 20, is provided with a plug or partition, indicated at 21,

separating the air inlet passage to the chamber, 18, from the suction passage to the suction chamber, 17. It willbe understood-that in'the operation of the actuator, a forward movement of the sleeve, 20, in the' direction of "the arrowin Fig. 2,'will admit air into-the cylinder in rear of the piston, the forward portion of the cylinder being connected :with the intake manifold bythe suction-pipe,-326, thereby causing the forwardmovement oi the-piston,--while the movement of the, sleeve, 20,inthe opposite direction, will reverse the connections with the cylinder, withdrawing the air previously admitted in rear of the piston, from the suction chamber, 17, and suction pipe, 326, and delivering it into the manifold, air at atmospheric pressure being admitted to the'cylinder forward of the piston, and thus effecting its return movement.

In carrying out our present invention, we

interpose between the carburetor and the intake manifold a capillary retaining means generally indicated at 61* in Fig. 1, for holding liquid fuel obtained from the suction passage, in finely divided condition, and in such manner that the airdrawn from-the actuator must pass through and around said capillary retaining means and in directcontact with theliquid fuel, so as to takeup the liquid fuel and form an explosive mixture before it enters the manifold. As shownin second annularchannel cored in'the ring and indicated at 383, which communicates with the first mentioned channel at intervals by ainapertures, 384:, 384C. The section, 366, of the'vertical pipe orpassage is provided with the nsualthrottle valve, indicated at 369.

The inner face ofthe ring above andbelow the annular channel, 382, 18 prov ded wlth grooved portions, lndlcated at 385, and we efer .to cover the inner face of'this ring with a wicking of fibrous absorbent material, easily permeable by alr, as for example, a woven fabric of asbestos or other su table inaterial, indicated at386. In order to hold this fibrous-material in position, and also to prevent any of the particles or loose fibres thereof frompassing to the engine, weprefor to place over the J fibrous absorbent .material, an annular piece of wire ,gauze, ,in dicated 2113387, said gauze .and fibrous material being held inposition'by springlrings,

3,38, whichpress the same,into the annular grooves,385 Therlng sprovided with a nipple, 389, to which the suction,pipe, 326, preiterably a ,ilexible; pipe ofrubber or other suitable material, -.1s connected, said n pple con'nnunicating with the exterior annular recess, 383, offthe r ng. Th1s r1ng,j381,can be rea d1ly.1nserted between the sections of the intakepipe leading tothe manifold and secured in position by means of suitable'bolts or screws, as indicated at 390, in Fig.3, pass- ;ing through lugs orears, forme d on said,pipe

sections, and the ring, 381, and providejclfwith reg stering apertures. The annular channel,

382,. is PI'EfQIIZLblY PIOYiClQd with aldepressed portion. indicated at 391. below the lower lip, 391, of the ring, which forms an annular reservoir for the collection and retention of liquid motor fuel, and we prefer to with capillary tails, indicated at 392, which may be threads drawn out of the material or stitched into the same, or any other form of capillary appendages may be employed. These tails, 392, have their outer ends extending into the reservoir, 391, formed'inthe moist capillary material supported therethe ring. I

It will be understood that in this form of our invention, the absorbent material, 386, will receive and absorb liquid motor fuel from the mixture passing upward from the main carburetor to the manifold, or which may be deposited on the walls of the vertical passage and trickle downward along the walls thereof. Any excess liquid received by the absorbent material will be conducted by the absorbent tails, 392, to and be retained in w q -.566", and the ring itself is indicated at the reservoir or pocket, 391, formed in the ring, and by means of these absorbent tails,

there will be a more or less constant transferof motor fuel from the said reservoir to the r exterior channel, communicating with themabsorbent material, and vice versa, so'as to maintain the absorbent material, 386, at all times in a moist condition. When the brake mechanism or other vacuum actuated mechanism is operated so as to withdraw air from the actuator and deliver it into the annular passage, 383, on its way to the manifold, such air will be distributed through the passages, 384, to the channel, 382, of the ring, and will thence pass through the capillary or absorbent material, 386, before it enters the vertical passage connecting the main carburetor to the manifold, which insures the proper mixture of motor fuel with said air to form a combustible mixture which mixes with the charge forming mixture passing from the carburetor. 1

In Figs. 6 and 7, we have illustrated a slight modification of the ring shown in Figs. 3, 4 q r motorfuelfrom the charge forming mixture and 5. In this construction the ring, indicated at 481 is provided with the inner channel, 482, open to the vertical pipe or passage,

the sections of which are indicated at 466 and 466", said ring being provided also with the exterior annular channel, 483, communicating by apertures, 484, with the inner channel, 482. The inner and upper edge of the channel, 482, is carried inwardly to produce an annular flange, 485, which projects into the vertical passages, so as to deflect portions of the charge forming mixture drawn upward from the main carburetor, into the interior channel, 482, to cause it to deposit a portion'of its liquid fuel, and said channel, is provided with absorbent material to retain the same, which maybe in this instance conveniently provided in the form of a ring, 486, of asbestos or other absorbent material, protected byan exterior coating of wire gauze,487, and conveniently provided with an interior-stiffening wire,'488,

said ring being sufficiently flexible to be sprung into its place in the channel,- 482. The ring is provided with the nipple, 489, connected with the suction pipe, 426, and the operation 'of the device is practically the same as that previously described. It 'will'be seeniflthat the air entering from the suction pipe, 426, will be distributed through ihe small apertures, 484', into the. inner channel, 482, directly in contact with in. The lower portion of the channel, 482,

alsoforms a reservoir, indicated at 491, -the' 581, being conveniently formed in two sections.-for:convenience of manufacture. 582:.

represents the inner channel, and 583, the

ner. channel by apertures, 584, which are located adjacent to the bottom of the channel,

582, and said channel is provided with alip, 591", at its loweredge, forming a liquid reservoir, 591,and with a downwardly extending lip, 585, at its upper edge. Within the channel is provi'dedana-nnular ring,-586, of capillary material, such as an absorbent mass of fibrous material pressedinto form, forexample, asbestos, and which may be protected by a covering of wire gauze or other material as desired, the said ring being provided on its inner edge with radially disposed projections, or tongues, 586*, which project over the lip, 591, toward the interior of the 'ver-.

ticalpassage from the main carburetor. In

' this instance the inwardly projecting tongues,

or fingers, 586 ,-thus serve tocollect liquid passing upwardly from'the main carburetor, and by capillary action, transmit it to the -main body of the ring, 586,'and to the reservoir, 591, in the manner hereinbefore described, the said'ring being provided with depending portions, 586", orcapillary tails to insurethe transfer of liquid to and through said reservoir. The air entering fromthe suction actuated device through the pipe, 526, passes through the small apertures, 584,- into saidreservoir, 591, and through the absorbent material of the ring, 586, becoming admixed with motor fuel and entering the passage, as explosive mixture tobe mixed with the charge forming mixture, as hereinbefore described. It will be understood that in all of the forms of our invention, we prefer to connect the suction pipe to the suction passage of the engine between the throttle valve and the cylinders.

What we claimaanddesireto securerby Letzters Patent1is:-

1. .Meansifor fuelizingair withdrawn from ,a-suction'actuated device deriving its suction fromithe suction passage of an internal com- !bustion engine, comprising a ring inserted 'between and :joining thesections-of said sucrtion passageand formingla part of said suction passage, said 'ringiprovided with an anno nular chamber communicating at all times with said suction passage, said ring being 'P1OVidBdWii/h. a liquid reservoir in the bot Ltom of the chamber, a capillary imediuni ex :posed to contact with motor fuel :passing 315 rthroughsaid; suction passage and-havingportions extending into said reservoir, and a suction connection between said device and said :chamber whereby all air withdrawn from'said device willqcontact with the capil- 120 laryimedium'and'be fuelized.

,2. 'Means'wfor 'fuelizing air withdrawnfrom iazsuction actuated device deriving its suction rfrom the suction passage of an internal com- "bustion engine, icomprising :a ring inserted ';between and joining the sections of said suctionpassage and *forming'a part of'said sucrtiOIl passage, said zring provided with an an- :nular chamber communicating at :all times with said suction-passage, said;annular cha1nr 0 *berbeing provided at its-bottom with a liquid :reservoir, a'capillary medium bridged across the communicating opening between said chamber and the suction passage and having capillary extensions dipping into said ireservoiryand a suction connection between-said device, andsaidchamberwherbyall air with- :drawn zfromzsaiddevice Will-contact with the capillary mediumandbe fuelized.

3. :Meansfor fuelizing air Withdrawn from 40 an intermittently-operated suction actuated device derivingits suction from the suction passage of an internal combustion engine, !comprising means arranged Within :the suction connection :and' forming =a part thereof,

:saidvmean's having'an annular'chamber com- .municatingwiththe suction passage, a capi1- diary medium bridged across the communicatingiopening-and subjected to contact with themotor fuel passing through said; suction ,50 passage, means connected to said capillary imedium for delivering :exces's motor fuel'to isaid chamber, and a suction connection from saidc'hamber :tO :said device, whereby all air withdrawn from the suction actuated device will-contact with said capillary :medium and .be fuelized before entering the suction passage.

In testimony whereof we :afiix our :signatunes.

s oA-LEB s. BRAGG.

VICTOR W. 'KLIESRATH. 

